The aim of the “Local Government Official–Cooperator” competition, held since 2004, is to honor representatives of local governments and public offices who show goodwill toward and appreciate the role of cooperatives in the local community.
This year, the laureates included the mayor of Bolesławiec, Piotr Roman. The nomination was submitted by the “Cepelia” Cooperative Auditing Union, whose members include folk and artistic handicraft cooperatives, as well as cooperatives of visual artists and architects.
The ceremony honoring the 31 laureates of the 13th edition of the “Local Government Official–Cooperator” competition took place in the Portrait Hall of the Porczyński Gallery in Warsaw. During the ceremony, Dr. Jerzy Jankowski, chair of the General Assembly of the National Cooperative Council, emphasized the shared goals of both the cooperative and territorial self-government sectors: improving living standards and stimulating social activity.
The ceremony was attended by Helena Smoleńska, president of the “Ceramika Artystyczna” Artistic Handicraft Cooperative in Bolesławiec. The “Ceramika Artystyczna” Artistic Handicraft Cooperative began operating in 1950. It is an establishment that fully draws on the finest traditions of Bolesławiec ceramics. Ceramika Artystyczna exports 90 percent of its products to 25 countries around the world, while its unique designs receive awards at trade fairs in Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, New York and Tokyo.
The ceremony announcing the results was enhanced by a performance from the Baroque instrumental ensemble Musica Dinamica. The Ministry of the Interior and Administration assumed patronage of the initiative.
UM Bolesławiec/ii